Two more lynx captured in Scottish Highlands as big cats moved to Edinburgh Zoo for quarantine
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Two lynx that were "deliberately abandoned" in the Scottish Highlands have been captured safe and sound, the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) said. The capture of the two wildcats comes after another two lynx seen in the Dell of Killiehuntly near Kingussie, Highlands, on Wednesday, which were safely captured overnight into Thursday. A joint effort from Police Scotland and rangers from the Cairngorms National Park Authority (CNPA) led to their capture at 6.30pm on Friday, near the Dell of Killiehuntly, where two other illegally released lynx had been captured on Thursday.
The RZSS said: "Two additional lynx who appear to have been deliberately abandoned in the Cairngorms have been safely captured this evening. The medium-sized cats were spotted on camera traps overnight on 9/10 Jan. Staff from the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland then baited a series of humane traps in the area to entice them with and have been working with Police Scotland and rangers from the Cairngorms National Park Authority to monitor the area throughout the day.
"The animals were captured at around 6.30pm, near to the Dell of Killiehuntly, where two other lynx had been successfully caught the previous day. They will now be brought to the nearby Highland Wildlife Park to be checked over by RZSS veterinarians, before being moved to quarantine facilities in Edinburgh Zoo.".
Dr Helen Senn, RZSS head of conservation, said: "I'm sure that everyone in the community will be happy and relieved to know that the second pair of lynx have been safely captured. Early reports are that they appear to be in good health, which is the most important thing. It's been a rollercoaster 48 hours, with people working throughout the day and night, in some extremely challenging conditions, but I've been so impressed by the efforts of our own staff as well as partners, and members of the local community, to ensure that the outcome is a positive one.
